My very close Buddhist friend died suddenly this week. She was very young at it was unexpected. I am away at the time of her funeral and want to mark her death at the time of the funeral in a way that is respectful in terms of Buddhist teachings and traditions . I know very little about Buddhism but I do know that she had a sense of peace about her that I really wished I had.

Dedicate merit to her for a period of time. Make a point of doing good deeds (merit) specifically to honor her. Some examples: volunteer at a soup kitchen, formally accept the 5 or 8 precepts, volunteer your time at a monastery, go on a meditation retreat, offer comfort to her family....

My very close Buddhist friend died suddenly this week. She was very young at it was unexpected. I am away at the time of her funeral and want to mark her death at the time of the funeral in a way that is respectful in terms of Buddhist teachings and traditions . I know very little about Buddhism but I do know that she had a sense of peace about her that I really wished I had.

If anyone could give me any advice I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

monkeygirl

In addition to the offered help here already, I should say: whatever is in mind, is spoken or done by loving heart.

Since you have expressed that you know little about Buddhism and by that statement, if it may be assumed that you may not be a Buddhist, why not just do it in the way that you know best, according to your current culture or belief instead of attempting something that you're not familiar with or 'incompatible'?

As an example, before my maternal grandma's passing, she mentioned that it's okay for all family members to remember her in the way that they know best and not necessarily having any form of compulsion nor guilt for not following the rites of her funeral. The last thing she would want to happen is an unnecessary clash or pressure to conform.